By Kim Young Shin

Top diplomats from Korea, the U.S. and Japan held a meeting at the foreign ministry’s offices in Seoul on June 14 to discuss follow-up actions regarding the June 12 Singapore Summit.

“This is the first time that the highest authority in North Korea promised the president of the U.S. to work toward the complete denuclearization of the peninsula, which, we believe, has bolstered political momentum for action to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue,” said Minister Kang Kyung-wha at the joint press conference held after her meeting with her U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Mike Pompeo and Taro Kono.

“We shared our understanding that the June 12 summit is not the end, but a new beginning toward a denuclearized and peaceful Korean Peninsula,” said Minister Kang.

“It’s our shared expectation to see substantial progress in the denuclearization process through follow-up negotiations building upon the outcome of the U.S.-DPRK summit,” she said. “We also hope that this process will spell out a more concrete picture of a brighter and more prosperous future for North Korea.”

“I look forward to continuing the no-daylight cooperation and consultation with Secretary Pompeo, as well as Minister Kono, toward complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula,” said the minister. “We will continue our close cooperation with other neighboring countries as well as our friends and supporters in the international community.”

ysk1111@korea.kr